Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Nobody expects the new-look Lakers, with so many moving parts, to be operating like a well-oiled machine at the end of one preseason.
That said, it's pretty clear that many fans and media types expected the machine to look somewhat oiled. Or ready to be oiled. Or at least assembled so someone can get around to oiling it.
Wherever you are on that spectrum—the big question of how much progress the Lakers made, what sticks out as good, what pops out as bad, and where the big unknowns still are—is not insignificant. Arguably the easiest portion of the team's schedule comes in the first 20 or so games. It's a good situation for a group that could still be jelling in those early games... unless they're too disjoined to take advantage.
Why did the Lakers treat the preseason the way they did?
And from there, when guys that matter were on the floor, how did the product look? Where did the Lakers surprise? What are the big question marks?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are disjointed coming out of the preseason.

SEGMENT 2: Where the offense and defense shined... and also what wasn't as good.

SEGMENT 3: Why the Lakers do what they do.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

PHOTO CREDIT: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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The Lakers finally got the Big Three on the floor together Friday in their preseason finale (a 121-106 loss) against the Nuggets, and the results were... mixed. Particularly early in the game, they were a turnover machine, as the chemistry between Luka, Reaves and Walker Kessler was very much a work in progress. No real surprise there, but still kinda disappointing given the high hopes.
So lots to work on there.
Big nights for Ziaire Williams and Sandro Mamukelashvili, and a surprising start for Matisse Thybulle as JJ Redick busted out a starting lineup that might -- might -- be what's used on Opening Night.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

PHOTO CREDIT: Jon Endow-Imagn Images

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Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
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This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

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The Lakers are trying to get the roster down to 15 players, and at the least, seem to be exploring ways to do it that don't involve straight-up cutting Dalton Knecht.
Jake Fischer reports on Marc Stein's Substack that the Lakers are exploring a trade:
The Lakers, meanwhile, have been engaged in trade talks to try to get their roster down from 16 to 15 standard contracts and perhaps even acquire some additional frontcourt help in the process. League sources say that the Lakers and Bucks have held exploratory trade discussions on a framework that would ship former first-round selection Dalton Knecht to Milwaukee (along with second-round draft capital) in exchange for big man Jericho Sims. Yet it must be said that I've also heard some pessimism from sources briefed on those talks that such a trade will actually go through. The Lakers might be forced, if no deal materializes between now and Monday's deadline, to simply waive Knecht to get down to 15."
Would it be worth giving up a pick to get Sims? How much would he help fill the hole the Lakers clearly have around the backup center spot?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

PHOTO CREDIT: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

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Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The Lakers may finally have the band, or at least the band members that matter the most, on the floor for preseason play Friday night.
Thursday in El Segundo, Ziaire Williams returned to practice, as did Adou Thiero. Luka Doncic practiced in full. Even Collin Sexton participated in everything except full contact work. Likely won't play Friday, but at least Sexton is on a decent path to play opening night.
So aside from him and Cam Carr, who is out with an injury JJ Redick didn't describe because he doesn't have to until the regular season begins, That means we should see, finally, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler on the floor together. After Tuesday's impressive debut for Kessler, and a really nice game from Reaves as well, to get a feel for how the whole package could look will be fun.
Plus, since all of the guys who are in the running to start at the four are available, we get a window into that, too.
Meanwhile, the NBA's annual GM Survey was released on Thursday, and where the Lakers and Luka appear, and don't appear, is noteworthy for sure.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Getting healthy ahead of the last preseason game.

SEGMENT 2: The GM Survey. Where the Lakers are, where the Lakers aren't.

SEGMENT 3: Walker Kessler for Most Improved Player?

PHOTO CREDIT: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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KALSHI
Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.
Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The Lakers have a little less than a week to get their roster down to 15 players. Rob Pelinka has noted that they have been, and still are, looking to make a 2-for-1 "consolidation" type deal that would allow the Lakers to shrink the roster without cutting a player.
That feels unlikely, in the sense that anything that might be available to them probably would have presented itself, but there's still the possibility that as teams shuffle players around before the start of the season that some type of opportunity might arise. How big a price should the Lakers be willing to pay? If it doesn't result in them adding a player that contributes to this year's rotation, probably not a ton.
So how to the Lakers get down to 15? We've talked about how the math impacts things - why Jaden Hardy's contract has value. We've talked about considerations by position (they don't have as many 1/2s as 2/3s). But we haven't talked much about merit. Has anyone earned a spot?
And why does this conversation about the back end of the roster matter? Obviously Bronny James comes with all sorts of other baggage attached when trying to have a sober-minded discussion, but how important are these end-of-the-roster spots for a team that wants to elevate, but doesn't have a lot of resources to do it?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

PHOTO CREDIT: Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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KALSHI
Today's episode is brought to you by Kalshi. For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.
Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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